Nicolas Jackson set to join Bayern on loan from Chelsea | OneFootball

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is poised to join Bayern Munich on loan, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg.

Bayern will cover all of his salary. One sticking point will be whether the deal includes an option or obligation to buy.

Chelsea slapped an £80 million price tag on Jackson earlier this summer, but no club was willing to pay that sum for him.

The Blues are now open to a loan deal but will likely demand guarantees.

Despite denying a move was in the works at some point, Bayern are now close to signing the Senegalese international to provide cover for Harry Kane.

Jackson has bagged 30 goals and 12 assists in 81 appearances for Chelsea and will be a terrific option for Bayern to have off the bench.

He can also flourish behind Kane or play on the left wing.

Bayern will be looking to close a deal before deadline day and secure his services ahead of Aston Villa, Newcastle United and AC Milan.

However, while Chelsea may feel confident in their forward options, letting Jackson go could prove to be a short-sighted move.

They have signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro this summer, but the latter is not a natural number nine.

When both players were on the pitch against West Ham United, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had no other specialist striker to call upon.

Relying on Pedro, whose injury record has been far from spotless, adds another layer of risk.

In a long Premier League season, with European and domestic cup competitions to navigate, depth in the striker position is crucial.

If Delap struggles to adapt or Pedro misses time, Chelsea could be badly exposed.